38 research outputs found
Creating Sustainable Food Systems with Trademarks and Technology
A geographical indication (GI) is a type of trademark that conveys the geographical origin and unique characteristics of a specialty product. Well-known examples of geographical indications include Champagne and Roquefort cheese. Numerous case studies from across the globe underscore the benefits that geographical indications can contribute to rural regions, such as increased job production, repopulation of rural areas, visibility, and renewed local pride. An international treaty called the Geneva Act grants intellectual property protection for geographical indications on a worldwide basis. Notably, the U.S. is not a party to this treaty and takes a hostile stance towards the use of geographical indications, especially when they are used to protect food names many Americans consider to be generic. This article disagrees with that policy position and argues that geographical indications should be leveraged in the U.S. to incentivize the creation of new and sustainable product markets and to revitalize economic development in rural areas, such as Appalachia. This article also discusses two novel ways to achieve this objective: (1) forming decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to legally structure GI collectives; and (2) using blockchain tracing to maintain quality control of high-quality, GI-denominated products
Symptoms Based Image Predictive Analysis for Citrus Orchards Using Machine Learning Techniques: A Review
In Agriculture, orchards are the deciding factor in the country’s economy. There are many orchards, and citrus and sugarcane will cover 60 percent of them. These citrus orchards satisfy the necessity of citrus fruits and citrus products, and these citrus fruits contain more vitamin C. The citrus orchards have had some problems generating good yields and quality products. Pathogenic diseases, pests, and water shortages are the three main problems that plants face. Farmers can find these problems early on with the support of machine learning and deep learning, which may also change how they feel about technology. By doing this in agriculture, the farmers can cut off the major issues of yield and quality losses. This review gives enormous methods for identifying and classifying plant pathogens, pests, and water stresses using image-based work. In this review, the researchers present detailed information about citrus pathogens, pests, and water deficits. Methods and techniques that are currently available will be used to validate the problem. These will include pre-processing for intensification, segmentation, feature extraction, and selection processes, machine learning-based classifiers, and deep learning models. In this work, researchers thoroughly examine and outline the various research opportunities in the field. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of citrus plants and orchards; Researchers used a systematic review to ensure comprehensive coverage of this topic
Emergent quality issues in the supply of Chinese medicinal plants: A mixed methods investigation of their contemporary occurrence and historical persistence
Quality issues that emerged centuries ago in Chinese medicinal plants (CMP) were investigated to explore why they still persist in an era of advanced analytical testing and extensive legislation so that a solution to improve CMP quality could be proposed.
This is important for 85% of the world’s population who rely on medicinal plants (MP) for primary healthcare considering the adverse events, including fatalities that arise from such quality issues. CMP are the most prevalent medicinal plants globally.
This investigation used mixed-methods, including 15 interviews with CMP expert key informants (KI), together with thematic analysis that identified the main CMP quality issues, why they persisted, and informed solutions. An unexplained case example, Eleutherococcus nodiflorus (EN), was analysed by collection of 106 samples of EN, its known toxic adulterant Periploca sepium (PS), and a related substitute, Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES), across mainland China, Taiwan and the UK. Authenticity of the samples was determined using High-performance thinlayer chromatography.
Misidentification, adulteration, substitution and toxicity were the main CMP quality issues identified. Adulteration was found widespread globally with 57.4% EN found authentic, and 24.6% adulterated with cardiotoxic PS, mostly at markets and traditional pharmacies. The EN study further highlighted that the reason CMP quality issues persisted was due to the laboratory-bound nature of analytical methods and testing currently used that leave gaps in detection throughout much of the supply chain.
CMP quality could be more effectively tested with patented analytical technology (PAT) and simpler field-based testing including indicator strip tests. Education highlighting the long-term economic value and communal benefit of delivering better quality CMP to consumers was recommended in favour of the financial motivation for actions that lead to the persistence of well-known and recurrent CMP quality issues
Feature Papers in Horticulturae
Several of the 17 papers in this volume represent diverse strategies for improving sustainability in crop production systems. The maintenance of soil quality and the reclamation of marginal soils, improving tolerance to saline irrigation water, biodegradable alternatives to black plastic mulch, use of natural plant extracts against bacterial disease, and development of cultivars resistant to herbivorous arthropods address urgent priorities in sustainable systems. Two papers examine the driving forces and effects of adopting innovative agricultural technologies in food value chains in underdeveloped regions of the world, and identification of new Asian vegetable crop species for European environments and markets. Three papers reported on managing fruit set and ripening in important fruit crop species like orange, apple, and plum. Postharvest techniques to reduce disease and maintain fruit nutraceutical content were reported in separate papers. Classification techniques, conservation and utilization of unique plant species, and in vitro propagation techniques of species with potential horticultural value were described in four papers
A critical review of superfoods from a holistic nutritional and environmental approach
n a global arena in which the identification of healthier and cleaner nutrient sources is practically mandatory,
superfoods, known as foods of high nutritional and biological value with satisfactory bioavailability and
bioactivity within the body due to extraordinary concentrations of nutrients and bioactive ingredients, can play a
key role. These products are highly connected with sustainability, which is composed of an economic, envi-
ronmental, and social balance, mainly translated in meeting nutritional needs. Focusing on the two latter aspects,
this article is intended to provide a breakthrough in the knowledge by assessing the nutritional characteristics
and environmental performance of superfoods. Firstly, a selection is made by revising the nutritional profile of
different products. Secondly, a review of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies aims to establish guidelines for
future analyses, based on the current state-of-art and possible recommendations, as well as to provide infor-
mation on the impacts of these novel products. 40 superfoods are identified, of which only 15 have environ-
mental analysis. The LCA revision enable to recognize methodological vulnerabilities based on the lack of
definition of the function, allocations, uncertainty and quality assessments, as well as a weak justification on the
selection of data sources and impact categories. Other recommendations include the possibility of using nutrient-
based functional unit, extending system boundaries up to retailer, applying high quality primary data and
standardized databases, and analyzing a wider range of indicators. Finally, this scientific field is still little
explored, so the suitability of superfoods from an environmental perspective cannot be concluded, thus
encouraging the use of LCA to fill this scientific gap.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the KAIROS-BIOCIR project (PID2019-104925RB) (AEO/FEDER, UE). Ana Fern ́andez-Ríos thanks the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spanish Government for their financial support via the research fellowship RE2020-094029
CERNAS – Current Evolution and Research Novelty in Agricultural Sustainability
This book addresses original studies and reviews focused on the current evolution and research novelty in agricultural sustainability.
New developments are discussed on issues related with quality of soil, natural fertilizers or the sustainable use of land and water. Also crop protection techniques are pivotal for the sustainable food production under the challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, allied to innovative weed control methodologies, as a way to reduce the utilization of pesticides. The role of precision and smart agriculture is becoming more pertinent as the communication technologies improve at a high rate. Waste management, reuse of agro industrial residues, extension of shelf life and use of new technologies are ways to reduce food waste, all contributing to a higher sustainability of the food supply chains, leading to a more rational use of natural resources. The unquestionable role of bees as pollinators and contributors for biodiversity is subjacent to the work of characterization of beekeeping activities, which in turn contribute, together with the valorization of endemic varieties of plant foods, for the development of local communities. Finally, the short circuits and local food markets have a decisive role in the preservation and enhancement of rural economies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Assessment of Socio-Economic Sustainability and Resilience after COVID-19
The pandemic period has caused severe socio-economic damage, but it is accompanied by environmental deterioration that can also affect economic opportunities and social equity. In the face of this double risk, future generations are ready to be resilient and make their contribution not only on the consumption side, but also through their inclusion in all companies by bringing green and circular principles with them. Policy makers can also favor this choice
CERNAS: Current Evolution and Research Novelty in Agricultural Sustainability
Climate changes pose overwhelming impacts on primary production and, consequently, on
agricultural and animal farming. Additionally, at present, agriculture still depends strongly on
fossil fuels both for energy and production factors ,such as synthetized inorganic fertilizers and
harmful chemicals such as pesticides. The need to feed the growing world population poses many
challenges. The need to reduce environmental impacts to a minimum, maintain healthy ecosystems,
and improve soil microbiota are central to ensuring a promising future for coming generations.
Livestock production under cover crop systems helps to alleviate compaction so that oxygen and
water can sufficiently flow in the soil, add organic matter, and help hold soil in place, reducing
crusting and protecting against erosion. The use of organic plant production practices allied to
the control of substances used in agriculture also decisively contributes to alleviating the pressure
on ecosystems. Some of the goals of this new decade are to use enhanced sustainable production
methodologies to improve the input/output ratios of primary production, reduce environmental
impacts, and rely on new innovative technologies.
This reprint addresses original studies and reviews focused on the current evolution and
research novelty in agricultural sustainability. New developments are discussed on issues related
to quality of soil, natural fertilizers, or the sustainable use of land and water. Also, crop protection
techniques are pivotal for sustainable food production under the challenges of the Sustainable
Development Goals of the United Nations, allied to innovative weed control methodologies as a
way to reduce the utilization of pesticides. The role of precision and smart agriculture is becoming
more pertinent as communication technologies improve at a rapid rate. Waste management, reuse of
agro-industrial residues, extension of shelf life, and use of new technologies are ways to reduce food
waste, all contributing to higher sustainability in food supply chains, leading to a more rational use
of natural resources. The unquestionable role of bees as pollinators and contributors to biodiversity
is adjacent to characterizing beekeeping activities, which in turn contributes, together with the
valorization of endemic varieties of plant foods, to the development of local communities. Finally,
the short circuits and local food markets have a decisive role in the preservation and enhancement of
rural economies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Advancing herbal medicine: enhancing product quality and safety through robust quality control practices
This manuscript provides an in-depth review of the significance of quality control in herbal medication products, focusing on its role in maintaining efficiency and safety. With a historical foundation in traditional medicine systems, herbal remedies have gained widespread popularity as natural alternatives to conventional treatments. However, the increasing demand for these products necessitates stringent quality control measures to ensure consistency and safety. This comprehensive review explores the importance of quality control methods in monitoring various aspects of herbal product development, manufacturing, and distribution. Emphasizing the need for standardized processes, the manuscript delves into the detection and prevention of contaminants, the authentication of herbal ingredients, and the adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, it highlights the integration of traditional knowledge and modern scientific approaches in achieving optimal quality control outcomes. By emphasizing the role of quality control in herbal medicine, this manuscript contributes to promoting consumer trust, safeguarding public health, and fostering the responsible use of herbal medication products